Virginia M. Luther, 87, daughter of John and Geneva Brooks, was born on December 3, 1923, in Winchester, Idaho. Virginia died of cancer on Sunday, January 2, 2011 at Whitman Health and Rehab where she resided for the last 5 months.
Virginia graduated from Clarkston High School in Clarkston, WA. Virginia then married Bernard Luther, who farmed in the Colfax area. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1997. They resided in Colfax for awhile, moved to LaCrosse for a time and then moved back to Colfax where her home still exists. Virginia and Bernard had three children. Virginia went to nursing school at Gritman Hospital in Moscow where she received her LPN degree. She loved her nursing career and continued to work for approximately 12 years in the Colfax hospital. Although she retired from nursing, she continued her nursing abilities by volunteering at Hill Ray Plaza by taking vitals for patients until she could no longer go on her own. Virginia and Bernard loved bowling. They joined a mixed league team along with their son Steve for many years. Virginia continued to bowl until her health no longer allowed her to bowl. Virginia and Bernard also loved sports, they were known to always have a football or basketball game on TV to watch. They also did some traveling in their time. Virginia was known for her great love of pinochle. She would grab any moment there was available to play cards. Virginia was a member of the United Methodist Women, Colfax, WA, as well as a member of the choir group. She truly loved the spiritual songs as she always stated that singing really made her happy. She was a secretary for several years. Virginia was also known for her love of people. She was always available to help and assist in any manner that was needed. She was known to stay up nights with someone who was ill and needed her. She will be sorely missed by many friends and also by her family.
Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard Luther, a brother Lee Brooks of Chelan. She is survived by a brother, Alvin Brooks, Lewiston, her sons, Bob Luther, Spokane Valley, Steve Luther, Colfax, one daughter, Wendy Stellmack, Lahaina, Hawaii and a foster daughter, Carol Whitman of Pullman. Memorial Services will be held Tuesday, January 11th at 11:00 am at the Colfax United Methodist Church. Pastor Stephen Johnson will officiate. The family suggests memorials be made to the Colfax Methodist Church or to Whitman Community Hospital in her name. On-line guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com
Bruning Funeral Home, Colfax, is caring for the family.